What exactly did Kitagawa Gen mean by those words?
Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others probably hadn't understood.
But one only had to glance at Senju Tobirama's excited expression to see how malicious Gen's intentions toward Kumogakure truly were—how utterly excessive he was being.
It could be said that every one of his proposals was forcing Kumogakure toward a dead end.
And yet, this outcome suited the Konoha alliance just fine. At that thought, Hiruzen immediately felt that he would soon have to wrangle with Ōnoki and Genji again.
'Finally, it's out.'
Still, such wrangling didn't really concern Kitagawa Gen. He wasn't the Hokage, so he had no need to trouble himself with all that.
What truly piqued his curiosity now was Tsunade's research. After he had given her that key piece of information, what kind of changes would result?
'After all, Kakashi's eye probably won't hold out for much longer.'
Ever since learning that his Sharingan was no ordinary eye, Kakashi had pushed its use to the extreme.
Who knew how much longer he could endure? Unfortunately, Tsunade's research had made little progress.
So Gen had no choice but to drop some hints.
'And Akatsuki has started to change as well. Interesting.'
That news had come from Kisame, but it was only natural.
Akatsuki had been getting thrashed by him "under different guises" over and over. If they didn't make changes now, they truly would have no chance left!
'I just didn't expect… the biggest victim doesn't seem to be Black Zetsu—it's Uchiha Itachi?'
Gen stroked his chin, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
Thinking carefully, Uchiha Itachi's luck had been absolutely rotten ever since crossing paths with him.
And Akatsuki, true to its "if he's not dead, use him until he is" spirit of supreme virtue,
kept dragging Itachi up from the brink of death, only to throw him straight back down again—forcing him into endless "sit-ups from his deathbed."
'This will only wear him down faster… though I suppose it counts as a slight boost?'
Gen wasn't sure what effect White Zetsu's cells would ultimately have on Uchiha Itachi, but he knew the man might not hold up much longer.
More importantly, he was certain that no matter how much Akatsuki strengthened themselves, it wouldn't matter.
As long as he didn't have one of his "episodes," as long as he didn't act like an Ōtsutsuki idiot, nothing serious would happen.
'Still, I should keep an eye on the others. Forget it—better deal with Naruto's issue first.'
He still remembered Naruto's home visit. Speaking of which, Asura was truly stingy.
For Sasuke, he had only assigned one exclusive task, yet already rewarded him with a portion of "special Yin Release chakra."
But for Naruto—this was already the second task, and the reward still hadn't been revealed.
'Once I claim the reward, I'll head to the moon!'
Turning this over in his mind, Kitagawa Gen activated Flying Thunder God. In an instant, he was back in his own room.
"Sigh—Gen-senpai, you're back?"
No sooner had his feet touched the ground than Karin's voice reached his ears. Looking over, he saw the two of them tending flowers.
He had to admit—though they took turns watering his plants, often drowning them to death, their attitude had always been impeccable. Naruto, especially, took it with remarkable seriousness.
"Heh, we've finished planting them for you."
Naruto scratched his head with a grin, his face still smeared with dirt.
"Thanks for the hard work. Tonight, dinner's on you."
Kitagawa Gen plopped himself down and smiled at Naruto.
"Huh?!"
Naruto nodded at first, but then seemed to realize something.
"Wait—me? I'm the one paying? Hey, hey, wasn't I the one helping you plant flowers?"
"Weren't you the ones who killed them in the first place?"
"Even… even if that's true, shouldn't Karin chip in too?"
"But her allowance isn't as much as your stipend. Besides—"
Watching Naruto's face turn green, Kitagawa Gen crooked a finger at him.
"Come here. There's something I want to try. Bear with it."
"What are you up to?"
Though reluctant, Naruto shuffled over and sat down. Gen had already placed his hand against Naruto's lower abdomen.
"Karin, set up a barrier. No matter what happens, don't be surprised. And you too, Naruto."
"Huh?"
Naruto was utterly baffled, while Gen flashed a mischievous grin.
"Tonight, you're definitely the one treating us."
The moment the words left his lips, his chakra flared. Naruto instantly felt a burning heat spread through his belly—
and at the same time, red chakra erupted from his body!
'This is reckless…'
Karin had long since sensed the sinister chakra inside Naruto. Sharing the same surname, her curiosity had only deepened.
But such things weren't hers to bring up. Everyone had their own secrets—just like Kitagawa Gen.
'Still, Senpai, what exactly are you trying to do?'
Though curious, Karin obediently erected the barrier.
Since arriving in Konoha, she had learned a great deal—seals, barriers, all kinds of techniques.
"It should be fine," she murmured.
By now, Naruto was beginning to writhe in discomfort.
His entire body burned with heat, and in a haze, he seemed to glimpse a massive fox roaring at him!
"Focus. Steady your emotions."
At that moment, Gen's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"And don't move around or struggle. With me here, nothing will happen."
"You bastard…"
Hearing that voice, Naruto gradually calmed down.
His trust in Kitagawa Gen was unimaginable. No matter how foul he thought Gen's personality could be—
This was his very first friend. The very first person to acknowledge him in the truest sense.
As Naruto fought to steady himself, Gen quietly slipped into his spiritual world.
The instant he arrived, he lowered his head to glance at the watery reflections beneath his feet.
"Looks like I really can control this just fine."
Seeing his own image mirrored in the water, Gen nodded in satisfaction.
"Not as convenient as entering directly with Byakugan or Tenseigan, but this is enough."
Step by step, Gen moved forward. The Nine-Tails, locked inside its cage, stirred at his presence.
It opened its eyes with a harsh exhale—but Gen had no intention of wasting words.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique."
With one hand raised, the thunderous surge of chakra resounded through the entire spiritual space.
"Rooar—!"
The Nine-Tails let out a thunderous roar, and in an instant the massive cage was smashed open, a gap torn wide!
The Wood Dragon coiled upward, binding the beast tightly in place.
"Senju Hashirama? No… who are you?!"
The Nine-Tails roared again, but Kitagawa Gen's movements didn't falter for even a moment.
"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that I need a favor from you. So, stay quiet for now."
[Boom—!]
With another earth-shaking rumble, a colossal wooden figure manifested. Gen's hands shifted into a new seal.
The Wood Human's palm pressed firmly onto the Nine-Tails' head. As the kanji for "Seat" appeared, the beast's body stiffened.
Its massive form swayed unsteadily, nine tails drooping weakly until, within moments, the great fox had lost consciousness.
Only two masses of chakra remained, slowly drifting and condensing on the ground.
"Well now… greetings to the two of you."
Fixing his eyes on those floating chakras, Kitagawa Gen allowed a faint smile to spread across his face.
Standing atop the Wood Human's hand, he descended slowly to the ground as it lowered him.
At that moment, his chakra pulsed lightly again, and Naruto appeared beside him, dazed and bewildered.
"Huh? This is—"
Glancing around, Naruto's eyes went wide in shock.
He knew this place. He had been here before. This was where the giant fox, the Nine-Tails, was imprisoned!
But now—
"You broke the cage?! And you knocked that fox out cold?!"
Naruto gawked in disbelief at the sight: the Nine-Tails wrapped in wooden coils, its head pinned beneath the Wood Human's palm, completely unconscious.
"We're done for! You destroyed the seal—doesn't that mean I—"
"What are you afraid of? It's just a seal. Not like it can't be repaired."
Gen's voice was utterly calm, his gaze never leaving the two clusters of chakra.
"Besides, I told you tonight you're treating us, and that means you are. After all…"
Slowly, the two masses of chakra took shape—
until a blond man and a red-haired woman quietly appeared before them.
The instant Naruto laid eyes on the two figures, he froze.
It was as if he couldn't believe there had been people hidden inside him all along.
What's more, the moment they appeared, he felt an inexplicable urge to cry.
That strange feeling left him unsettled, his heart filled with an indescribable urgency.
"They… why do they look so familiar?"
After a long pause, Naruto forced an awkward smile at Kitagawa Gen—only to be met with a fist knocking against his forehead.
"Idiot. You walk past the Hokage Rock every single day, and you still don't recognize the Fourth Hokage's face?"
"The Fourth Hokage? Why is he here? Is it because of the fox?"
"Are you actually this dumb, or are you just pretending?"
"I—"
Words stuck in his throat. Naruto stared at the two figures, unable to speak, but his eyes were already glistening red.
"Fourth Hokage. Jōnin Kushina. Greetings."
Kitagawa Gen ruffled Naruto's golden hair, then stepped forward.
"Hello."
Namikaze Minato and Kushina still seemed dazed, a trace of bewilderment in their eyes.
Their appearance had been triggered by the broken seal and the Nine-Tails' chakra surge.
They had thought something terrible must have happened—yet the scene before them left them utterly stunned.
Especially when they saw Naruto. The emotions welling within them could not be hidden.
"What… what exactly is going on here?"
Before Minato could even open his mouth, Kushina couldn't hold back.
"And who are you?"
"I'm a jōnin of Konoha, and also one of Naruto's supervising instructors. More importantly, I'm his friend."
Kitagawa Gen smiled faintly, his tone calm.
"Congratulations. Naruto has already become a ninja. I'm here today for a routine home visit."
"Our first meeting—please take care of me."
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